The traditions of painting Easter Eggs and the Easter Bunny
are ancient history - literally! The ancient Greeks colored Easter Eggs
and rabbits and hares (being such famously fertile animals) represent
the fertility of Spring and are symbols of the rising fertility of the
earth at the Vernal Equinox.. Eggs are also symbols of fertility, thusly,
painted and decorated eggs were given as gifts representing new life.
The name Easter is thought to have derived from Eostre, an ancient pagan
goddess of Spring. Yes, that's coororrect! Some Easter origins, as well
as those of the Easter Bunny, come from pre-Christian lore. Dating back
to the time before Jesus Christ, parents told their children to expect
presents from a magic hare. Since hares are quite rare in many regions,
the bunny rabbit widely replaced the hare; this is how the Easter Bunny
has become so famous now. Eostre is related to the German Ostara; and
according to a popular piece of folklore, Eostre once saved a bird whose
wings had frozen during the winter by turning it into a rabbit. Because
the rabbit had once been a bird, it could still lay eggs, and that rabbit
became the modern Easter Bunny.

The bunny was first used as a symbol of Easter in 16th century
Germany, where it was first mentioned in German writings. The first edible
Easter bunnies, made primarily of pastry and sugar, were produced in Germany
as well, during the early 1800s. Also in Germany, children made nests
of grass and placed them in their yards. They believed the Easter Bunny
would fill these baskets with brightly decorated eggs during the night.

Associating the Easter Bunny with gifts, much like Santa
Claus, has commercialized "The Bunny" and it is quite common
now for The Easter Bunny to make appearances in costume in the early Spring
leading up to the holiday on Easter Sunday.